12 Hoosier Banker November 2014 Continued from page 11. closer because we’ve been in public service together, and we do things together as often as our schedules permit. “When I first started running for office, we used to load the kids in the minivan and head out to county fairs to shake hands and hand out fliers. In a very real sense, our kids to this day – even though they’re away to college – still feel a great sense of ownership about our family’s involvement in public life. That’s been important. “The last thing we believe in is taking Sundays off. Sunday is always family day for us. We get up and attend church and Colts home football games. Other than that, Sunday is a time when we like to power down, regroup and catch up. It’s been a source of rest and refreshment for us over the years. “I really do believe that your balance – and I say this even when I’m not talking to bankers – is the key to your success. Your balance in your bank account certainly is key to your success, but the balance in your life, I truly believe, makes you more effective at work and more fulfilled at home. “Throughout my public career, we’ve always sought to encourage people who work for us to make time for family, to make time for friends, to make time for those things that renew and enrich them – be that a community of faith or local volunteer activities. We’ll always hold that view.” What insights have you gained from those who have influenced you in your life? “I think that to know Mike Pence, you have to know our family. ‘Governor’ is what I do, and the greatest privilege I will ever have is to serve as governor of Indiana, but my family is who I am. Not just as a husband and a father, but we have a large, extended family in Indiana. “My mother is 82 years young and lives in our hometown of Columbus. We see her often and can’t keep up with her. My three brothers and two sisters are all very successful. I’m proud of them and their careers, and of all our nieces and nephews. “When I think of those who have influenced me over the years, it begins with my dad. He passed away when I was 28 years old, but is still a guiding influence in my life. I think of my mom, who is an amazing human being, the daughter of immigrants to this country. She and my dad really lived the American dream. “The circle widens from there, but the greatest influences in my life have been a great family, great parents, and having brothers and sisters that are always there to encourage, always there to tell you like it is and always there to inspire you. “I never grow tired of people coming up to me and telling me, ‘I knew your dad.’ I love to hear stories about my dad, even though he’s been gone for decades. “I love it when people come up and say they know my brothers or my sisters. The Pence family is a great big, loud, crowded-at-holidays family, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.” There is much speculation about your potential interest in running for the office of president of the United States. Would you please comment? “I’m always flattered anytime my name is mentioned for the highest office in the land, but I really think that the attention that we’ve received is more of a reflection on the success that the people of Indiana have enjoyed over much of the last 10 years. People are talking about Indiana everywhere. “When I travel around the country telling Indiana’s story, or at all kinds of venues, people want to know how we’ve managed to pursue a course where we’ve balanced budgets, we have strong reserves, and we have a Triple A bond rating from all the major credit agencies. This progress comes even while we’ve been cutting taxes for individuals, for corporations and for financial institutions, and while investing new dollars in education and infrastructure. “The phrase that I use when I travel is that ‘Indiana is the state that works.’ I’m staying focused on the future of the people of Indiana and on the opportunities that are in front of the people of our state. We’ll let my future take care of itself.” t Gov. Mike Pence speaks at the Tax Competitiveness and Simplification Conference in June. Against a backdrop of family photos, Gov. Mike Pence works from his Statehouse office desk.The red “hot line” phone is reserved exclusively for First Lady Karen Pence.
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